First port of call is options for names. As much as I've grown attached to "Zombie Collab" over the last day or so, I don't think it'll cut it. So this baby needs a proper name. Now, I am absolutely awful at names, so I think it should be an agreed upon title, y'know?

Second port of call; the zombies. This is just my personal preference, but I hate the slow, bumbling zombies with a passion. So, I want the fast kind for this. And it gets one step better. Not only do I want fast zombies, but I want zombies that can learn. Now I'm not saying they'll be discussing string theory within a few weeks, but I mean, as per any new species, they are able to notice common patterns and so on, and use it to adapt.

For example, say our survivors were hiding out in a block of flats, and had locked all the doors, and barricaded the windows of the first three/four floors, and were all hiding out on the sixth. The zombies, at least the kind that I'd like, would keep trying to get to them, and then start to realise if they could get higher, they could get in. I'm not saying it wouldn't take them another month or so to figure out how to get higher up, but the thought patterns are there. If any of that made sense.

And finally; the virus/disease/infection/neurotoxin. First of all, which option do we want, or am I the only one that's bothered about it, haha? Obviously none of our survivors is going to know anything about it (unless they're hiding something) so it probably wouldn't matter to them either. I dunno, I'm just being fussy, haha.

Could do. I think the first step should be them sort of coming together and at least trying to find a way to survive until then, because that'd probably be a while off, haha. And can at the very least cause a divide, or something.

And yes, I do sort of mean like that, haha. I was thinking as well maybe they hunt primarily by scent; particularly sweat and fresh blood.

Ooh, I'm liking this already. But don't rely on my for a name. I'm just as bad as you, but you already knew this haha

I really like the idea of them being able to "learn", too. It's an interesting concept - a little, teeny bit like 28 days later? Also, I think that a parasite could be our best bet - it would be a bigger threat because they wouldn't be able to fend the parasite off. They wouldn't even be able to touch the zombies!

And I think a survival camp later on in the story would be good, only a select few could be staying there but because there was too many humans living cramped in a small space - they started turning and attacking?Then the characters escape, and group up with the rest of ours? Creating a small, but effective zombie-slaying force! haha

I didn't think so much that the zombies in 28 Days Later really learned, haha, they were just fuelled by rage. And think what you can get up to when you're angry ;)

Also, not being able to touch them would be a bit impractical as they'd need to dispose of any corpses of zombies.

And Crystal, it depends what kind of parasite it is. Some travel through skin contact, some through ingestion, some exclusively travel through water and burrow into the penis, haha. So that's a bit too varied.

I might be a bit slow at replying, I'm just nipping out to the shop to do the weekly shop.

I disagree, though. Survival Camps never end well in any zombie-related story haha and I like the idea of something like The Walking Dead where they travel around until they settle down in the middle of nowhere.... before setting off again. Travelling around would allow us to have a whole world of plot lines.

It does give us more possibilities, but I think it would make sense for them to try and establish a base at first, and then have it all go #*$# up and realise they might be a bit better off travelling around, haha.

Right, clearly we need some sort of compromise here, so how about we base it on something that already exists? Like said neurotoxin I mentioned earlier.

It can only be carried by rats, can only grow in a cat's intestinal tract, and only really affects the human brain (some people flush their cat's poo, and it can infect water supplies and so on).

So, using something like that, with already existing qualities, and adapting could be a good idea?

Say it destroys the brain cortex (the bit that makes humans... well, human) and leaves only the stem intact, which is all you need to be a mindless killing machine. Add in some way of transmitting it via bite (either from a cat that just happens to be hosting the toxin, or from an infect human) and there you go :D

On an important note: most weapons are allowed, within reason. I repeat most weapons are allowed, within reason.

The list of banned itemss include:- Flame throwers: these are usually military issue only, and aren't easy to refuel in the event of the zombie apocalypse- Chainsaws: again, not easy to fuel. Any and all gasoline should be used for keeping car levels stocked up.- Tanks: for obvious reasons, really.- Armour: while you can have some kind of protective covering, a full suit of armour is impractical due to the weight, plus the rarity of having such a thing.

As a side note, please remember guns take time to relaod. They also run out of ammo and can sometimes jam, especially if a chunk of zombie flesh lands in it. Please keep this is mind when picking weapons.Ammunition would be scarce, unless you character owned a gun shop, and even then, they could only carry so much with them. Short blades require close contact combat, so bear that in mind if choosing them, as close contact increases your chances of being bitten.Long blades require room to manoeuvre, so if you get backed into a corner or end up in a tight space, things could get pretty problematic, so it's always wise to have back up weapons.

And as a final note, never underestimate the beauty of a Molotov Cocktail.

Name: Rhubarb MeredithAge: 16Gender: FemaleWorst Fear: ClaustrophobiaAppearance: Very short hair, dyed bright red. Rich brown eyes, green patch on left iris. Dark tanned skin. 5'2", slim, athletic. High stamina, medium speed, low strength. Somewhat flat-chested. Usually wears dark coloured cotton leggings and shorts, a sleeveless top and a long black trench-coat. After the zombies become commonplace, she acquires leather armour in the form of fingerless glove-sleeves, and wears these at all times.Weapons: Katana. Two small six-shot guns as backup.Personality: Quiet, somewhat shy but becomes more confident around people she knows. Becomes irritable when hungry. Has a love of cute things. Dislikes bossy people but can occasionally be so herself, though not often. Highly protective of her possessions. Somewhat sarcastic when annoyed.Other: Has had some formal training in sword-fighting, but stopped several years before the story starts. Aim is average. Fairly good at running and hiding, but can misjudge the danger of things (whether that means being over-cautious or devil-may-care) Slow metabolism; small appetite. May forget to eat if not reminded. Can often go without lunch and function normally.

Name: Bernadette Finhill Age: 15, almost 16Gender: FemaleWorst Fear: Nyctophobia (fear of the dark)Appearance: Short for her age at exactly 5'0". Slim, but only due to fast metabolism and the fact that she walks to and from school. Thick and wiry shoulder length hair, self-dyed bright purple several times at varying degrees of success. Her yellow-blonde roots are very visible. When the zombies came, she was wearing a black flowy skirt and orange stretch top with her dad's faded green jacket, and hasn't been able to acquire a different outfit since. Bright blue eyes. No make-up. Wears glasses.Weapons: dangerously unprepared with only a large kitchen knife, a large box of matches which her family hoarded and a flare gun.Personality: Generally outgoing, makes friends easily. Can sometimes be rather childishly stubborn, and her bouncy personality can sometimes be a bit annoying. Has to be told when she needs to stop doing or saying something most of the time, but does so immediately. Has a habit of marking places that she has been. Doesn't get offended easily. Stands her ground when she has a strong opinion.Other: Is very good at hiding from things, especially as she can fit into smaller places. Can be almost absolutely silent when needed to. Can throw her voice almost perfectly. Has a great misjudgement of distance.

I'll change the flare gun for something else if it counts as a flame thrower. And I don't mind changing other stuff if I need to :)

Name: Katrina 'Kat' LowAge: 19Gender: FemaleWorst Fear: Social AnxietyAppearance: She has very short cut black hair. Is about 5"6 and has a muscular build. She has chocolate brown eyes but her left has a scar underneath. She usually wears a jacket with a hood and her shirts usually have weird slogans on. She will always be wearing loose trousers and trainers.Weapons: Two Semi Automatic Handguns, two daggers and a machetePersonality: Doesn't like to hang around with too many people. She would rather train then go out with friends if she had any. She's been training in martial arts since she was about six and guns since she was eleven. Doesn't like it when people talk to her directly and will do anything to get out of a social situation. Hasn't really had any time to form any bonds with anyone since her whole life has been moving around and her anxiety keeps her from forming common friends. She needs to know she can trust someone to even just speak to them. Other:Her father was a military man and quit the army to raise her. He died when she was 16 and she's been on her own ever since. Lived on the street from 16 so knows to carry light.

About this group

For those interested in outlining and discussing specific ongoing storylines.

Sometimes simply using the comments area to refine a story's plot, sending private messages to co-authors to discuss characters, or updating the author guidance with setting information isn't quite enough.

If you have an elaborate, complex tale — be it solo or collaborative — come by the Planning & Brainstorming group to storyboard, outline, annotate, draft, and discuss your work's plot, characters, setting, history, intrigue, or anything that comes to mind.

Please try and keep all discussion topics you create centered around a single work!

Note: The intention is to move all story-related discussions in this group into "Story Wikis" (a new feature, currently in planning) down the road, so please use this group instead of posting new works to discuss backstory/characters/story meta-information.